The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.
How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. [The Lord’s answer] “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

These days, we are sadly not surprised when injustice reigns even at the highest levels of our government. While there are cities in the US that still value the truth, enforce the rule of law, and promote the family values taught in the Bible, there are also many areas that have embraced lies and flaunted evil practices as good.

We have, over the past five years, seen many of the freedoms so long held, that many have fought for and sacrificed their lives for and even died for, seemingly evaporate. A few of these freedoms are listed here: attorney-client privilege (confidentiality), equitable justice under the law, the right to not be imprisoned before proven guilty, freedom of religion, freedom to make your own health choices, (including which vaccines you get), freedom to not lose your job/livelihood because of beliefs, etc.

Recently we have seen protestors who peacefully protested election practices they thought were illegal thrown in jail under insurrection laws. When has an insurrection ever happened without weapons? These people were peaceful, with no weapons and largely not intent on violence.

We have now seen a former President persecuted by his political rival, convicted with potential jail time for alleged crimes that should not result in jail time. Meanwhile, members of the opposite political party are not prosecuted for deliberate crimes against our country and people. We have seen a judge change the rules of how a jury should convict someone. We have seen one party with a gag order placed on them, while the other side is free to speak in all manner of media outlets.

In some ways, some are trying to reduce justice to whether or not you feel someone is bad or you like them or not. And so we are at a place where similar questions to Habakkuk’s come to mind:

How long must we cry out for help and none comes, O Lord?

How long must I view and shield my eyes from the sexual deviancy of this generation?

When will justice prevail and uprightness shine forth?

When will you finally act?

And today, I believe the Lord’s answer is the same. It is as if he is saying to me in my heart: “Pay attention! Look out for my hand and be amazed! I am going to come in power and judge those who do evil and I will make my name known!”

So we can take heart that the same God who replied to Habakkuk is here and he is in control today. He will act in his time and it will be incredible to watch.

I must stay faithful and serve him. I must prepare to be used by him. I must not lose heart, but instead redouble my efforts to shine his light into this dark world.

Lord, thank you for your truth that permeates into my inmost being. You designed me for greatness in service to you. Cleanse me, fill me, empower me and use me to be a gospel-spreader, a watchman, and a truth-teller.